Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Tunisia Player Ratings: Mohamed Ben Romdhane 8.5/10 Rated as Last-Gasp Winner Seals 1-0 Victory for the Visitors

What a dramatic conclusion to a tense affair at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo. This match was a tactical battle from the first whistle. It had all the hallmarks of a crucial WC Qualifiers Africa fixture where neither side wanted to give an inch. From our perspective, it felt like a chess match for the longest time. The first half was largely a non-event, with both Equatorial Guinea and Tunisia cancelling each other out in the midfield. Chances were few and far between. We noticed both teams seemed more afraid of losing than hungry for a win, leading to a scoreless deadlock at the break. The game needed a spark.

The second half saw things get a little feistier with a flurry of yellow cards. Just when it seemed destined for a 0-0 draw, Tunisia's substitutes changed the entire narrative. Mohamed Ben Romdhane, on the pitch for less than 20 minutes, popped up with a stunning winner deep into stoppage time. It was a heartbreaking moment for the hosts but an absolute masterstroke from the Tunisian bench, securing a vital 1-0 victory on the road. Here are the Equatorial Guinea vs Tunisia player ratings.

Tunisia Player Ratings vs Equatorial Guinea

Here are the Tunisia player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Aymen Dahmen - 7.0: Had very little to do for most of the game, which is a credit to his defense. He commanded his area well when called upon. Picked up a late yellow card, likely for taking his time on a goal kick. A clean sheet is a clean sheet, a solid day's work.

Defenders

Montassar Talbi - 7.0: A rock at the back. Talbi was composed and didn't put a foot wrong all game. He read the play intelligently, making several key interceptions. From our perspective, he was a calming influence on the entire backline. He never seemed troubled.

Dylan Bronn - 7.0: Partnered Talbi effectively to nullify the opposing forwards. He was strong in the air and aggressive in the tackle. What stood out to us was his no-nonsense approach to defending. He just did his job without any fuss and helped secure the crucial clean sheet.

Yan Valery - 7.0: A really solid performance playing the full 90 minutes. He was disciplined defensively and offered support going forward when possible. He didn't take unnecessary risks, which was exactly what the game called for. A mature and reliable display.

Midfielders

Elias Achouri - 6.5: Showed some bright sparks and tried to be inventive before he was substituted. He worked tirelessly on the flank, but the final ball was sometimes lacking. A decent shift, but the team needed a bit more quality in the final third. He looked a little frustrated at times.

Hannibal - 6.0: We expected more from the youngster, to be honest. He struggled to impose himself on the game and was hooked before the hour mark. He showed his usual energy but couldn't unlock the stubborn home defense. A quiet and somewhat disappointing outing for him.

Mortadha Ben Ouanes - 6.5: A steady presence on the left. He fulfilled his defensive duties diligently throughout the match. Going forward, he was a bit conservative, but in a tight away game, you can understand why. He provided good balance to the team.

Ferjani Sassi - 6.0: The captain had a tough day at the office. He battled hard in midfield but got drawn into fouls, earning himself a yellow card. He was substituted not long after, which felt like the right call. Not his most influential performance.

Aïssa Laïdouni - 7.0: The engine in Tunisia's midfield. Laïdouni covered an immense amount of ground over the 90 minutes. He was constantly breaking up play and trying to drive his team forward. A truly tireless performance that was crucial to his team's control.

Forwards

Elias Saad - 6.0: He was starved of service for much of his time on the pitch. He made some good runs, but the ball rarely found him in dangerous areas. He was substituted around the hour mark as Tunisia searched for a breakthrough. A frustrating evening for the forward.

Hazem Mestouri - 6.0: Much like his strike partner, Mestouri found it difficult to make an impact. He worked hard to press the Equatorial Guinea defense but lacked any clear-cut chances. He was taken off as the manager looked to his bench for a different approach.

Substitutes

Naïm Sliti - 6.0: Came on for Hannibal but had a mixed impact. He brought some fresh energy but also picked up a booking for a clumsy foul. He didn't quite provide the creative spark Tunisia was looking for from the bench.

Firas Chaouat - 7.5: Though his introduction wasn't clearly noted in the feed, his impact was undeniable. He provided the crucial assist for the winning goal. His presence gave the attack a much-needed focal point in the dying minutes. A game-changing contribution.

Mohamed Ben Romdhane - 8.5: The undisputed man of the match. To come on as a sub and score a 94th-minute winner is what dreams are made of. He took his chance brilliantly with a powerful strike. His yellow card for the celebration was worth it, securing a massive three points.

Sebastian Tounekti - N/A: Brought on in the 88th minute with too little time to make any real impression on the game.

Manager

S. Trabelsi - 8.0: His game management was spot on. The team was solid defensively, and his substitutions won the match. Bringing on Ben Romdhane and Chaouat proved to be an absolute masterstroke. He deserves huge credit for turning one point into three.

Equatorial Guinea Player Ratings vs Tunisia

Here are the Equatorial Guinea player ratings.

Goalkeeper

Jesús Owono - 6.0: For 93 minutes, he did everything right. He had a very quiet game but was left completely exposed for the goal. There was little he could do about such a powerful, close-range shot. A cruel end to his evening.

Defenders

Basilio Ndong Owono Nchama - 6.5: A solid and disciplined performance at the back. He was part of a defensive unit that looked impenetrable for almost the entire game. He will be devastated by the late goal, as his personal performance deserved a clean sheet.

Carlos Akapo - 6.5: He was strong and committed, making life difficult for the Tunisian attackers. He stuck to his task well and didn't make any notable errors. It's a shame his hard work was undone in a single moment at the very end.

Saúl Coco - 6.5: Like the rest of his defensive partners, Coco was excellent. He organized the backline well and looked comfortable against the opposition forwards. He was just seconds away from a brilliant result. A gut-wrenching finish for him.

Esteban Orozco - 6.5: Put in a great shift at the heart of the defense. He was resolute and cleared his lines effectively whenever danger appeared. He did not deserve to be on the losing side after such a committed defensive display for 90-plus minutes.

Midfielders

Omar Mascarell - 6.0: A combative performance in the middle of the park. He worked hard to disrupt Tunisia's rhythm, which earned him a yellow card. However, he struggled to offer much creativity going forward. A typical spoiler performance.

Santiago Eneme - 6.5: He was energetic and tried to link the midfield and attack. He showed good technical ability at times but couldn't find that killer pass. He put in a good effort before being substituted late in the game.

Pablo Ganet - 6.5: A busy performance from Ganet. He was all over the pitch, making tackles and trying to get his team on the front foot. From our perspective, he was one of his team's better players, showing real fight and determination.

Forwards

Iban Salvador - 6.0: He had a few moments where he looked dangerous but was largely kept quiet by the Tunisian defense. He was eventually substituted as his influence on the game waned. A day of hard running with little reward.

Emilio Nsue - 6.0: The captain led the line with effort but was isolated for large parts of the match. He had very few touches in the opposition box. It was a frustrating night for him, as he was unable to get a clear sight of goal before being taken off.

Unknown Player - 5.5: We struggled to notice the impact of this player. He was on the pitch for a long time but failed to get involved in any meaningful way. A very anonymous performance where he offered little threat.

Substitutes

José Nabil - 6.0: Came on with about 20 minutes to go but couldn't change the flow of the game. He struggled to get involved as Tunisia started to push for a winner.

Loren Zúñiga - N/A: Introduced in the 87th minute, not enough time to make an impact.

Gael Akogo Esono - N/A: Came on alongside Zúñiga and had no time to influence proceedings.

Álex Masogo - N/A: Another late substitute who had no time to get into the game.

Manager

J. Obiang Bicogo - 6.5: His game plan almost worked to perfection. He set his team up to be defensively solid and hard to beat, and they executed it brilliantly for 93 minutes. They were seconds away from a valuable point. Perhaps a lack of attacking ambition cost them in the end.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Mohamed Ben Romdhane